WO1990015559A1

WO1990015559A1 - Process and device for checking out goods

Info

Publication number: WO1990015559A1
Application number: PCT/EP1990/000977
Authority: WO
Inventors: Siegfried Wieschemann; Günter Baitz; Hartmut Kamin
Original assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Ag
Priority date: 1989-06-20
Filing date: 1990-06-20
Publication date: 1990-12-27
Also published as: ES2078972T3; EP0429623B1; DE59009793D1; EP0429623A1

Abstract

For the purposes of the smooth and rapid checking out especially even of damaged goods labels, a process for the checking out of goods is proposed in which the data concerning them are automatically, and preferably also manually in the event of faulty checking, entered in the check-out device. In addition, at least two devices for implementing the process are described which have a goods check-out device with both an automatic scanning device and a manually operable input console. One of these devices also makes it possible to relieve and reduce the number of the service staff.

Description

Method and device for the detection of goods by the customer

The invention relates to a method and to devices for customer-side detection of goods according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and according to the preamble of patent claims 6 and 22.

Such a method or devices are known from US Pat. No. 4,779,706 and from DE-OS 35 24 231. In the method known from US Pat. No. 4,779,706, the customer, with his goods placed in a shopping trolley, goes to a collection point, places the respective goods individually on a scale combined with a scanner and then in one on a scale shopping bag located on another scale. With the scanner, the goods labels attached to the goods are recorded and forwarded to a computer. The computer's memory contains, among other things, the price and weight of the goods. If the actual weight matches the stored weight, the registered goods are placed in the shopping bag. After the goods have been entered, the customer receives a receipt, the print of which is compared by the staff at an operator station with the content and weight of the shopping bag.

The disadvantage here is that the goods can also be registered only very slowly and that goods or articles cannot be recorded by the customer without or with incomplete goods labeling. The invention is based on the object of specifying a method of the type mentioned at the outset in which the customer-side goods registration runs more smoothly and quickly, even in the case of incorrectly marked goods, and to provide a device for carrying out the method.

This object is achieved by a method with the features of patent claim 1 and by a device with the features of patent claims 6 and 22.

Normally, the goods identification of the individual goods is read with the scanner of a scanning device. In the known arrangements described above, goods with damaged goods identification cannot be detected by the customer. The same applies to product labels attached to the goods that cannot be reached with the scanner. The method according to the invention enables the goods data to be recorded automatically when the goods identification is complete and attached to the goods in such a way that it can be reached by the scanner or passed over a goods detection window. The method according to the invention also enables, preferably when the signal is given, manual entry of the goods data if, for example, the goods identification is damaged or incomplete. Of course, it is also possible to enter the goods data into the goods registration device manually, for example via an input keyboard of the goods registration area, if the goods label is attached to the goods completely and correctly and, in principle, could also be recorded automatically. Advantageously, the goods data of a certain goods can also be partially automatically entered and partially entered manually. It is therefore possible to use the scanner to record incomplete product labels and to enter the rest of the label manually, ie using an input keyboard. For example, certain product groups (fruit / vegetables, fresh meat, food, DIY supplies, etc.) can be entered using the keyboard while the product identification is read in by machine. This makes it possible to use some digits of the machine-readable article number specified in the number of digits for other purposes, such as weight information. This is particularly interesting for goods with variable weight such as fruit. At the fruit stand, the desired amount is collected in a bag, which is then weighed out on a product which is known and which reads machine-readable labels. After entering the article name in the keyboard of the scale, a self-adhesive label with machine-readable weight, goods and / or price information is printed, which the customer sticks onto the bag. The label can be scanned in the goods scanning area of the goods scanning device. Only the product group, for example fruit, is entered manually, after which the computer can clearly identify the article and multiply the weight by the price. As a result, the self-adhesive label does not have to contain a price. In such cases, the scale cannot be "intelligently" designed and does not need to be connected to the POS system.

It is also advantageous to automatically record the goods data of a goods and to manually enter the number of the goods in question. In this case, a multiplication key is provided so that it is larger Quantities of the same article are sufficient to automatically capture (scan) a copy and then to enter the number and the multiplication command manually on a keyboard. This leads to faster goods registration.

In another development of the method, goods that have already been recorded are automatically and / or manually booked out. In this case, a cancel key can be provided, by actuating which items already registered can be booked out again. Such cancellation can be requested by the customer in particular if an article is damaged, the customer does not want to buy this article or cannot pay the resulting amount of money in cash.

When canceling the last article entered, simply press the cancel button and the article is booked out. In the case of cancellation of goods previously recorded, the list of the goods previously recorded is successively indicated on the screen of the goods registration area when a correction button is pressed. Several articles can be displayed, but only one is marked with a symbol as cancellable. The goods list can be moved past the cancellation symbol by repeatedly pressing the correction button. By pressing the cancel key, the article marked with the cancel symbol is booked out. It is also possible to carry out a cancellation by entering the goods identification again. The goods identification of the article to be canceled is entered again using the scanner or the input keyboard and the cancellation key is then pressed. In such a case, the computer checks whether this product has already been recorded and books this out if the test result is positive. This method is particularly suitable for goods entry devices with minimal equipment, in which neither a screen device nor a receipt printer is provided.

In another exemplary embodiment, a light barrier can be provided in front of or behind the goods detection window in the direction of goods movement, by means of which the direction of the goods movement can be determined. A movement of the goods to be detected in the direction of the exit of the sales transaction effects the detection of the article, whereas a movement in the opposite direction results in the cancellation of the article concerned. The light barriers can also be functional when the goods are not machine-readable. The ergonomically logical return movement is then made and the goods identification is then entered on the input keyboard. This makes it unnecessary to press the cancel button.

On the device side, the previously set object is achieved by a goods entry device with the features of claim 6.

The angle of inclination in the range of 135 ° to 180 ° between the operating surface and the goods detection surface enables the goods identification attached to the goods to be transferred unhindered in the direction of the goods detection window. Bulky, for example elongated, articles can also be easily rotated and turned are inadvertent actuation or touching of operating elements arranged on the operating surface and / or input / output openings is largely ruled out. The edge provided at the apex of the angle of inclination between the control surface and the goods detection surface, with the control surface rising slightly transversely to the direction of transport of the goods, particularly holds box-shaped or cylindrical goods preferably on the goods detection surface, so that these goods cannot reach the control surface under normal load. With such an angle of inclination, there is sufficient space for the goods to be recorded, so that the goods as a whole can also be processed more quickly.

The angle of inclination is advantageously in the range from 155 ° to 180 °, preferably 165 °. Such a control surface is still clearly visible for customers on the one hand, on the other hand, the control surface blocks the view of the goods entry area only slightly or not at all, so that the control personnel can quickly see the goods entry area from almost all sides. A control surface arranged in this way, on the one hand, enables the installation of control elements and / or input / output openings in the sense of a double function and, on the other hand, also forms part of the transport surface required for oversized goods packs, so that such packs at least can also be partially parked on the control surface.

Advantageously, a data display device having a screen and adjustable by means of a carrying device is attached to an upper part receiving the operating surface. This makes it possible to position the screen favorably for the customer, so that everything is on information displayed on the screen can be clearly seen and read. The carrying device also ensures that the data display device is transferred to a position facing away from the goods detection and operating surface, so that even oversized packages of goods can be easily passed over the goods detection surface.

It is also favorable to arrange the input keyboard below the screen, since in this way the correctness of the data entered with the keyboard can be checked quickly by looking at the adjacent screen. However, it is also possible to integrate the input keyboard into a part of the screen, so that although this is reduced in size, no additional device for receiving the input keyboard is required. It is favorable in this embodiment of the invention that the screen and the input keyboard form a flat surface and can therefore be designed to be optically appealing.

Likewise, the input keyboard can be one of the operating elements arranged on the operating surface. In this case, the input keyboard is located closer to the goods transport route and is therefore more easily accessible for the user performing the goods registration.

The data display device can also be provided in the operating area. This makes it possible to create a very compact goods entry device that is largely protected against damage from bulky goods. In this case, devices protruding from the goods detection device can be omitted. It is favorable, particularly in the case of an input keyboard provided in the operating surface, that the goods-related input via the scanning device or the input keyboard Data can be checked easily and quickly using the data display device provided near the goods entry window or the input keyboard.

In a development of the invention, the input keyboard and the data display device are arranged axially one behind the other transversely to the goods detection window of the goods detection surface. Such an arrangement additionally enables a quick check of the data entered or recorded by means of the input keyboard or the scanning device provided under the goods registration window. Since the user expediently stands in front of the goods entry window when operating the goods entry device, he can only check the acquired data by turning his head without turning his head.

It is also favorable to use one of the dispensing openings provided in the operating area as a closable dispensing compartment for a receipt, e.g. a goods registration document, since such an output compartment is on the one hand in the user's field of vision, so that the user can easily remove the document after the entry process has ended. On the other hand, the document in the lockable output compartment is well secured against unintentional tearing off or damage. In addition, such a goods detection device can be installed in a feed and discharge system without any problems, since no operating elements and / or input / output openings are provided on the side walls or the rear wall of such a device.

Advantageously, the output compartment is trough-shaped and with a hinged lid and preferably in a bottom wall of the compartment with a Provide slot for feeding the strip-shaped document. The trough-shaped design of the output compartment facilitates document removal, while the hinged lid serves as protection against inadvertent damage to the document during goods entry. The slot enables unproblematic feeding of the strip-shaped document from a supply roll provided in a document printer.

According to a development of the invention, the output compartment has a partially cylindrical inner wall at least at its end. Such a design enables simple and unproblematic guidance of the stiff-shaped covering emerging from the slot. Usually, a print line is required for each item that is entered, so that the document is constantly extended during the entry process. However, a partially linden-shaped inner wall prevents the output compartment from becoming blocked and enables the strip-shaped document to be rolled up. In addition, the document can be removed more easily with such a design of the output compartment.

It is also favorable that the hinged lid can be pivoted about a bearing pin, preferably transversely to the direction of goods transport, the opening of the output compartment preferably pointing in the direction of the transport path when the hinged lid is open. By means of such an embodiment, the hinged lid is easy to open and the dispenser compartment is easily accessible from the goods entry side. In addition, a swivel movement can be carried out quickly without great effort.

It is also favorable, however, that the hinged lid has, at least at its ends, a partially cylindrical underside which is matched to the inside wall of the output compartment is preferably a guide rib with an outer wall arranged transversely to the top of the hinged cover. This ensures that when the document is fed through the slot provided in the output compartment, the elongated document is automatically rolled up in the output compartment without the need for a mechanically driven winding device. The partially cylindrical inner wall of the output compartment and the partially cylindrical underside of the hinged cover allow a circular or elliptical path of the document when the hinged cover is closed. This forms a loose roll in the output tray. This ensures that there is no paper jam in the output tray even with numerous goods printed on the receipt. When the hinged lid is opened, the wrapped slip is pushed a certain amount out of the output compartment towards the goods transport path by the guide rib formed on the underside of the hinged lid, so that it can be easily removed by the user.

On the device side, the previously set object is also achieved by a goods entry and billing system with the features of claim 22.

In deviation from the principle previously used in goods recording and billing systems, the operator is relieved by the fact that the customer himself is involved in the goods recording and billing or carries it out independently. This makes it possible to design the course of the billing path for the goods in such a way that an operator monitors several billing paths or can control without having to actively intervene in the goods registration and billing. As a result, it is relieved of physical strain, but remains included in the goods entry and invoicing to the extent that, depending on requirements, an intervention in the current process is possible. In a system according to the invention, the billing route runs directly via the billing unit, which is thus completely included in the billing route and no longer has to be arranged next to it. Since the billing unit can be operated from the customer side, the customer can carry out the goods entry and billing independently and, for example, enter article numbers and / or prices or request bills. It is also possible to have printouts made at this point in the billing path or to carry out bills dependent on the introduction of a credit card. As a result of this novel principle, the operator station, which is assigned to a number of billing channels in a system according to the invention, can be arranged at a point from which an insight into the goods detection section is possible, but only controls and functions as well as necessary if necessary special interventions Need to become.

A further development of the invention is characterized in that the operator station is equipped with a further accounting unit. This further development increases the versatility of the system, because it makes it possible either to create an invoice independently initiated by the customer or to distribute the invoice to the accounting unit present in the accounting path and to the accounting unit assigned to the operator station . For example, the goods entry can be carried out by the customer himself with the creation of the invoice document, while the The control person makes money at the operator station.

The operator station is advantageously equipped with control and monitoring devices for its billing sections. As a result, it is possible to directly influence the process of goods registration and billing in the respective goods registration section as required, by triggering control functions there as a function of monitoring.

Likewise, the operator station can be equipped or connected with control and monitoring devices for its goods delivery sections. This makes it possible to issue the goods e.g. depending on whether goods which have not been recorded are transported through the goods issue section or whether incorrect or incorrect billing has been carried out.

In a further development of the invention, the billing unit contains a reading device for goods labels, a display device and an input keyboard, which are connected to a computer. Equipping the accounting unit in this way enables the customer to enter into a dialog connection with the computer and to carry out the goods entry and accounting according to different procedures.

The accounting unit can also contain a cash collecting and dispensing device. This enables the complete goods settlement up to the payment on the part of the customer, without the control person having to carry out further activities in addition to the control.

As an alternative or in addition to this development, the billing unit can be a credit card reader and / or contain a reader for receipts. This makes it possible to carry out the aforementioned goods settlement with a credit card or, if necessary, to record receipts, which is necessary, for example, in the case of credit notes or deposit repayments.

Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of a goods recording device;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the goods detection device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic side view, partly in section, of a further exemplary embodiment of a goods detection device;

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the goods detection device according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the goods detection device according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a partial longitudinal section along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5 through an output compartment for a receipt with the hinged lid closed;

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section through the output compartment according to FIG. 6 with the hinged lid open, FIG. 8 shows a schematic top view of a goods entry and billing system with two billing channels;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective illustration of a billing unit provided in the course of a billing path;

FIG. 10 shows a perspective, schematic representation of a further exemplary embodiment of the goods recording and billing system; and

FIG. 11 shows a perspective, schematic representation of another exemplary embodiment of the system.

In Figure 1, a goods detection device 1 is shown in a side view. This has a columnar lower part 2, in which a computer 3 shown in dashed lines is arranged. The lower part 2 is supported on a base plate 4. An upper part 5 is arranged on the lower part 2, which is subdivided into a front section 6 arranged on the right in FIG. 1 and a rear section 7 shown on the left in FIG. The upper side of the front section 6 is designed as a horizontal goods detection surface 10 forming a transport path, in which a goods detection window 11 is provided (cf. FIG. 5). Below the goods detection window 11 is an optical scanning device 12, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1, for detecting machine-readable, on the Goods provided markings provided. The scanning device 12 can be a so-called "scanner" for bar code markings. The goods detection window 11 forms a horizontal flat surface with the top of the front section 6.

The rear section 7 of the upper part 5 is polygonal according to FIG. 1 and has on its upper side an operating surface 13 which adjoins the goods detection surface 10 transversely to the goods transport direction and which is inclined with respect to the goods detection surface 10. The angle of inclination A is in the range from 135 ° to 180 °, preferably in the range from 155 ° to 180 °. According to Figure 1, the angle of inclination A is 165 °. The operating surface 13 has on its side facing away from the front section 6 a horizontal storage surface 14, which is followed by a surface 15 falling towards the rear. Control elements and / or input / output openings are provided in the control surface 13. According to figure

In the rear section 7, a closable output compartment 17 for a document 20 (see also FIG. 6) is provided as a dispensing opening 16, flat with the operating surface 13. In the rear section 7 of the upper part 5, below the output compartment 17, a receipt printer 21, shown in broken lines in FIG. 1, is installed, which contains a supply roll (not shown in more detail), with the information about the goods entry window

II guided goods provided beginning is guided into the output tray 17. Such receipt printers 21 are generally known in registers as printers for receipts or as receipt printers. In the receipt printer 21, a cutting device 22 is provided near the output compartment 17, which separates the printed portion of the receipt 20 from the unprinted portion of the supply roll. A data display device 23 is adjustably attached to the surface 15 sloping towards the rear by means of a carrying device 24. The carrying device 24 consists of a tripod 25 with a vertical standpipe 26, the upper end of which opens into a curved arm 27. The end of the boom 27 remote from the standpipe carries a U-shaped fastening fork 30, the side arms of which partially encompass the data display device 23. The side arms of the fastening fork 30 have pivot bearings 31 at their upper ends for the adjustable support of the data display device 23. The pivot bearings 31 each have a horizontal axis of rotation 32 about which the data display device 23 can be rotated by a certain amount.

The data display device 23 has a screen 33 facing the goods detection area 10 with an operating part 34 arranged underneath. The data acquisition device 23 is shown in more detail in FIG. The control unit 34 then contains an intercom system 35, a control keyboard 36, an input keyboard 37 and a card reader 38 from left to right. These control units are connected to the computer 3 (not shown in detail). With the card reader 38, for example, credit or customer cards can be read for non-cash payment methods. With the input keyboard 37, for example, a personal identification number assigned to the aforementioned cards or the goods identification data attached to the goods can be entered manually. With the help of the control keyboard 36, the computer 3 can be informed, for example, of the end of a certain goods acquisition process; a supervisor can also be requested. A conversation between the user and the supervisor is possible via the intercom 35. The housing part covering the receipt printer 21 and receiving the output compartment 17 is designed as a cover hood 40 which is pivotally attached to the lower end of a rear side 42 of the rear section 7 of the upper part 5 by means of a hinge 41 (see also FIG. 1). The cover 40 can be transferred from its closed operating position (solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2) to its open ready position (dash-dotted line in FIG. 1) and vice versa. As a result, the receipt printer 21 is almost unlimitedly accessible for repair and service purposes, such as inserting a new supply roll or changing an ink ribbon. According to FIG. 2, however, the data display device 23 must be shifted from its position shown in FIG. 2 with the aid of the cantilever-shaped arm 27 into the position indicated by dash-dotted lines in the direction of arrow P before the cover 40 is in its open ready position can be transferred.

A second exemplary embodiment of the goods detection device is shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The same parts are marked here with the same reference numerals as in the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

According to FIG. 3, a data display device 43 with a screen 44 is inserted into the rear section 7 of the upper part 5 such that the screen 44 is flush with the control surface 13. An input keyboard 45 is arranged on the storage surface 14 which adjoins the operating surface 13 horizontally. The input keyboard 45 can be firmly connected to the storage surface 14 or can only be placed on it. in the in the latter case there is a connecting cable 46 for the input keyboard 45 and is led to the computer 3 through an opening 47 in the surface 15 sloping towards the rear (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The connecting cable 46 can be designed to be elastic so that the input keyboard 45 can be moved from the storage surface 14 in the direction of the goods detection surface 10 or the goods detection window 11. In this case, the input keyboard 45 is arranged adjacent to a user arranged close to the goods detection surface 10 or the goods detection window 11, so that the input keyboard can be operated easily, ie without prevention.

In the exemplary embodiments described above, the separate input keyboard can be omitted if it is integrated in part of the screen 33 or 44. In this case, the respective screen has, at least in part, a touch-sensitive, transparent coating. Such devices are generally known as a touch screen or touch display. However, it is also possible for one of the operating elements arranged on operating surface 13 to be designed as an input keyboard (not shown). According to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the input keyboards 37 and 45 and the data display devices 23 and 43 are arranged axially one behind the other across the goods detection window 11 of the goods detection surface 10. The aforementioned devices are therefore aligned one behind the other in a row transversely to the goods transport direction.

The output compartment 17 serving as the output opening 16 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, which show a partial longitudinal section along the line VI-VI in FIG. The discharge opening 16 is trough-shaped formed and has a vertically extending rear wall 50, an approximately V-shaped bottom wall 51 and an inclined front wall 52, the rear wall 50 and the bottom wall 51 being formed in one piece. The output compartment 17 is laterally delimited by side walls 53 arranged parallel to one another (see FIG. 5), the mutual spacing of the side walls corresponding at least to the width of the document 20.

In its area near the front wall, the bottom wall 51 has an elongated slot 54, which extends over the entire width of the output compartment 17, through which the document 20 is guided from below into the interior of the output compartment 17. The length of the slot 54 therefore corresponds at least to the width of the document 20. Through this slot, the stiff-shaped document 20 can be fed from the receipt printer 21 (see FIG. 1) to the output tray 17 without problems.

At the upper edge of the rear wall 50, the front wall 52 and the side walls 53 there is a horizontally extending fastening frame 55 which has bores 56 for receiving fasteners. Such fastening means can be screws which are welded or glued to the underside of the operating surface 13 carrying the storage compartment. However, it is also possible to place the fastening frame on the operating surface with or without a recess which corresponds to the dimensions and the material thickness of the fastening frame 55.

The front wall 52 is inclined from the slot 54 to the fastening frame 55 and is designed to rise and has a horizontally extending shoulder 57 running along the width of the document and close to it in its central region Fastening frame 55 has a stop 60, the upper side 61 of which runs horizontally.

The top of the output compartment 17 can be closed with a hinged cover 62 which can be pivoted about a horizontally running bearing pin 63. The bearing pin is formed on the edge at which the fastening frame 55 and the rear wall 50 converge. The bearing pin 63 engages in recesses (not shown in detail) in the side walls 53. The hinged cover 62 has an upper side 64 which is aligned flush with the operating surface 13. At its ends facing the rear wall 50 and front wall 52, the hinged cover has a partially cylindrical underside 65, which is designed in each case as a guide rib 66 with an outer wall 67 arranged transversely to the hinged cover top 64. Both outer walls 67, like the guide ribs 66, are integrally connected to the upper side 64 of the hinged cover 62. The outer walls 67 have a length such that they protrude approximately up to half the height of the output compartment 17. In the closed position of the hinged cover according to FIG. 6, the outer wall 67 facing the front wall 52 rests on the shoulder 57 and the front edge of the hinged cover 62 rests on the upper side 61 of the stop 60.

According to FIG. 6, the output compartment 17 also has a partially cylindrical inner wall 70 in the area between the rear wall 50 and the bottom wall 51, which is adapted to the partially cylindrical underside 65 of the hinged cover 62. This inner wall 70 is also designed as a guide rib 71. The radius of the partially cylindrical guide ribs 66 and 71 corresponds to approximately half the height of the entire output compartment 17.

In FIG. 7 the output compartment 17 is shown with the hinged lid open, so that one in FIG Opening 72 pointing to the transport path is formed. In this position, the outer wall 67 near the rear wall 50 protrudes into the interior of the output compartment in such a way that the rolled-up document 20 in FIG. 7 acts to the right and slides upward on the bottom wall 51 rising towards the slot 54.

The hinged lid can be opened and / or closed manually or automatically. So it is e.g. it is possible to automatically open the hinged lid 62 after the printing of the document 20 has ended via a drive (not shown) and to close it after the document has been removed. The opening and / or closing of the output compartment can, however, also be coupled to the scanning device 12 arranged under the goods registration window 11, so that the hinged lid opens automatically after the goods registration is finished and when the next user starts to register the goods closes automatically.

The operation of the goods scanning device is explained by way of example below.

The user, for example a customer in a sales shop, places the goods provided with a goods identification (bar code marking) on the goods detection surface 10 in front of the viewing window 11 (compare FIGS. 1 and 5). The respective goods are then guided with their goods identification over the goods detection window in such a way that the scanning device arranged under the goods detection window can detect the data specified in the goods identification and display them on the screen 33 or 44 of the data display device 23 or 43 . For particularly bulky goods or for goods that are not labeled carry, the information otherwise contained on the goods identification can be entered into the goods entry device via the input keyboard 37 or 45.

The receipt printer 21 arranged in the rear section 7 of the upper part 5 prints the data on the goods identification, e.g. the type of goods and the price on the receipt 20, which is further deducted from the supply roll in the printer after each item of goods printed on the receipt. The document 20 passes through the slot 54 of the output compartment 17 and slides along the guide rib 66 of the closed hinged cover 62 close to the front wall 52 into the interior of the output compartment 17. At the rear end of the output compartment, the document becomes down along the rear guide rib 66 deflected in the direction of the bottom wall 51 and then acted upon by the guide rib 71 of the inner wall 70 in the direction of the front wall 52. The winding or roll formation of the document is facilitated by the fact that the strip-shaped document is preferably unwound from the supply roll in such a way that the circular pre-tensioning of the document on the supply roll corresponds to the winding or rolling direction in the output compartment.

After the goods have been registered, the document 20 is separated from the supply roll by means of the cutting device 22. At the same time or shortly thereafter, the hinged lid of the output tray is opened manually or automatically and the receipt is removed from the output tray. The goods passed through the goods detection window 11 can be provided, for example, in one (not shown) Shopping cart. The customer then pays the amount printed out on the document and displayed by the respective data display device either by means of a customer or credit card via the card reader 38 (see FIG. 2) or via money inlets and outlets that open the control surface 13 or in the control panel 34 can be arranged. In the event of problems with the detection of goods, the customer can request a supervisor via the control keyboard 36 and the intercom 35 or receive an instruction from him.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a goods registration and billing system which, for. B. is installed in a supermarket. This system can be part of a larger system and contains two billing channels A and B, which are shown in broken lines in FIG. 8 and on which goods to be recorded and billed are passed through the system in the direction of the arrow shown. The system is delimited on both sides by railings 110 and 111, which give the customer the route through the system. This path is indicated in Figure 8 by an arrow C on the left side of the system and by an arrow D on the right side of the system.

The system is closed off from the outside by two normally permeable barriers 112 and 113 and by the rear wall 114 of an operator station 115. The blocks 112 and 113 are located at the end of the billing routes A and B or the customer routes C and D.

As can be seen in the plan view according to FIG. 8, the settlement paths A and B initially run close to one another and are then guided around the operator station 115, where they are at a correspondingly greater distance from one another. The billing route A is described below, the course and structure of which corresponds to that of the billing route B.

The billing route A is divided into three sections, namely a goods receiving section 116, a goods recording section 117 and a goods issuing section 118. The goods receiving section 116 is formed in the illustrated embodiment by an endless belt conveyor 120, on the one of which is arranged on the entry side of the system At the end the customer has to put his goods on so that they are transported in the direction of the settlement route A. A billing unit 121 is arranged directly after the endless belt conveyor 120 in the goods detection section 117, so that it forms part of the billing path A. In FIG. 8, a window 122 is shown in the accounting unit 121, through which the customer can manually push the goods fed in with the endless belt conveyor 120 in order to evaluate the goods identifiers present on them with the accounting unit 121. The goods then have to be transported further by the customer, and in the exemplary embodiment shown they are placed in a shopping cart 123, which can then be transported out of the system through the lock 112 in the direction of the settlement path A.

The billing route B is constructed in the same way as the billing route A and consists of a goods receiving section 130, a goods recording section 131 and a goods output section 132. The goods receiving section 130 is likewise formed by an endless belt conveyor 135, the goods recording section 131 is a billing unit 136 with a window 137 and the goods output section 132 is designed as a transport route for a shopping cart 138.

The operator station 115 is arranged in such a way that the two goods detection sections 117 and 131 and the shopping baskets 123 and 138 can be easily viewed. A further accounting unit 140 with a display device 141, a printer 142 and a keyboard 143 is also provided at the operator station 115. A cash drawer can be located under these units. This makes it possible, in addition to observing the two goods acquisition sections 117 and 131 and the shopping baskets 123 and 138, to also perform goods invoices at the operator station 115 and to collect cash amounts. A control person sitting at the operator station 115 can therefore carry out all control and operating activities for both billing channels A and B as required, but is normally relieved of manual work, since the customer himself has to record and invoice the goods at the goods registration sections 117 and 131 carry out by operating the accounting unit 121 or 136 there and guiding the goods over their window 122 or 137. As a result, the manual work is shifted from the operating personnel to the customer, and by assigning one operating station 115 to several, in the exemplary embodiment shown, to two billing channels A and B, at least half of the operating personnel previously required is saved .

In FIG. 8, sensors 150, 151, 152 and 153 are shown schematically in the respective goods issue section 118 and 132, 154, 155 indicated. The respective goods output section 118 or 132 can be monitored with them. For example, the three sensors can be arranged at different heights in the course of the goods delivery section 118 or 132, in order to detect transported goods that are not in but under the respective shopping cart 123 or 138 through the goods delivery section 118 or 132 be transported. This monitoring can be done, for example, with the sensor 150 or 153. The sensors 151 and 154 can be personal sensors, each of which signals the passage of a person through the goods delivery section 118 or 132 when the control person is watching the other goods delivery section at the operating station. Depending on whether or not a person's passage is authorized at this point in time, a signaling can take place which prompts the person to return to the goods detection section. The sensors 152 and 155 can also be personal sensors, which again detect persons running without authorization through the respective goods issue section 118 or 132 and then immediately block the respective lock 112 or 113 via the accounting unit 140 of the operator station 115.

Between the two goods receiving sections 116 and 130 shown in FIG. 8 or between the endless belt conveyors 120 and 135 there is a goods return device 160 which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, runs over practically the entire length of the two endless belt conveyors 120 and 135. The purpose of such a goods return device is that the customer does not record goods or goods that cannot be recorded, or puts back unwanted goods. The goods return device, like the two goods detection sections 117 and 131, is also in the visible area of the operator station 115.

In a departure from the arrangement shown in FIG. 8, in which the two billing paths A and B run parallel to one another, arrangements can also be implemented in which the billing paths run obliquely to one another or in a star shape, in particular if an operator station has more than two billing paths assigned.

A billing unit 210 is shown in FIG. 9 in perspective, as is provided in the goods detection sections 117 and 131 shown in FIG. This accounting unit 210 has a housing with a lower part 211 and an upper part 212. In the lower part 211 there is a computer and a cash input / output device. Above the lower part 211 and in front of the upper part 212, a goods registration table 213 is provided, which has a window 220 under which an optical scanning device for machine-readable goods labels is arranged. The goods are led by the customer over the goods entry table 213 and are optically scanned through the window 220. The data obtained in this way are fed to the computer provided in the lower part 211 and evaluated there.

The upper housing part 212 has an operating surface which adjoins the goods detection table 213 and runs obliquely upwards, in the right part thereof a data display device 214 and a keyboard 215 are provided which contain an alphanumeric and a command key part. In the left part of the operating area there are openings of a receipt reader or credit card reader 216, a bank note input device 217, a coin entry device 218, a money return device 219 and a receipt printer 221. The associated devices are located behind the opening in the Top 212.

The device shown in FIG. 9 enables a customer to enter the price and / or article information present on the goods on the goods entry table 213. The computer present in the lower part 211 evaluates the data obtained in the process and effects a data display on the data display device 214, so that the customer can check the correctness of the data acquisition. The customer can influence the data acquisition and data evaluation via the keyboard 215, e.g. arrange for an invoice to be closed or canceled, or request operator assistance. The alphanumeric part of the keyboard 215 can also be used to enter a personal identification. The authorization required for a billing process or the receipts and other receipts are entered or output via the openings on the left side of the control panel.

A further exemplary embodiment of the goods recording and billing system is shown in FIG. 10. The goods receiving sections are formed here by shopping baskets 320 and 335, respectively. The customer 300 removes the goods from his shopping cart 320, passes them over the goods registration window 322 of the goods recording section 317 and places them in a second shopping cart 323. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 8 the second shopping cart 323 on a scale. This is shown in the figure only for billing path B and is designated 360 there. The function of this scale is similar to that of the first scale in US Pat. No. 4,779,706. The scale 360 is surrounded by a cage 362 in which the shopping cart (shopping cart) is enclosed. The exit path E or F is blocked by locks 364 locked in their blocking position. These locks correspond to the locking devices 112, 113 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 8.

In this exemplary embodiment, the operator station 315 is arranged such that the operator 366 sits directly on the detection sections 317, 318. This has the advantage that supervision can be carried out more precisely. Furthermore, the operator 366 can intervene directly in the event of detection difficulties, so that a call for help button at the detection site is not necessary. The operator station can be equipped, in a manner not shown, with an input keyboard and / or a handle for goods labels.

A billing unit 340 is arranged behind the operator 366, so that the operator can freely view the acquisition sections 317, 318. The operator 366 only has to turn around for the pure checkout process. When checkout is complete, the locks 364 are automatically unlocked. They can then be pushed open with the extending shopping cart and fall back into their blocking position after it has passed through. The next customer pushes his predecessor's empty shopping cart into the cage 362, in which it is enclosed, and places the goods he has picked up in this basket. The exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is particularly suitable for supporting the customer in the billing of goods with non-machine-readable goods identification. Again, two billing channels A, B are provided, of which only billing channel A is shown in detail. The accounting path B is constructed in mirror image to the accounting path A, where S represents the plane of symmetry. Only the accounting unit 440 is only provided on one path. The goods receiving section is in turn formed by a goods basket 420 (shopping cart). For goods registration, the customer places the shopping cart 420 in front of the front side of the goods detection section 417. In contrast to the other exemplary embodiments, the goods detection section has a vertical goods detection window 422, which is accommodated in a housing which projects above the table surface 424. Above the goods inspection window 422 are two arrow-shaped signal lamps 428, 430, the left of which points to a conveyor belt 423, which ends in a packing cradle 425, and the right to a second conveyor belt 427, which ends in front of the operator station 415.

The customer removes goods to be detected from his goods basket 420 and leads them past the goods detection window 422 with the goods identification. When the goods identification is recorded correctly, the signal lamp 428 pointing towards the conveyor belt 423 lights up, so that the customer can place the article thus recorded there. If the goods identification is not recorded, the signal lamp 430 pointing to the second conveyor belt 427 lights up, so that the customer is thereby asked to place the article which has not been recorded there. At the same time an acoustic signal sounds, by which the operator is made aware of an article that has not been recorded. from Customers, despite the signal on the other conveyor belt 423, can easily notice the goods placed by the operator.

The goods detection device behind the goods detection window 422 is advantageously designed as a scanner that detects the direction of movement of the goods. This ensures that the goods labels are only detected when the articles are moved in the direction of the first conveyor belt 423 and not in the opposite direction. On the other hand, goods that are to be deposited on the second conveyor belt 427 are not yet incorrectly recorded.

The goods located on the conveyor belt 427 arrive at the operator station 415, where they can be re-entered by the operator using an input keyboard 443 or a hand-held reader 444 and then manually conveyed into the packing trough 425.

Claims

Patent claims

1. A method for the detection of goods by the customer, in which the goods to be detected are divided apart from a goods detection area of a goods detection device, the respective goods are guided through the goods detection area, automatic detection of the goods data by scanning a goods label attached to the goods and in the event of a faulty detection of the goods data, a signal is given, and the goods thus recorded are placed in a goods issue area, characterized in that the goods data are also entered manually into the goods detection device, preferably when the signal is given.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the goods data are entered via an input keyboard of the goods detection area.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the commodity data of a commodity is partially automatically recorded, partially entered manually.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, da¬ characterized in that the goods data of a commodity is automatically detected and the number of concerned commodity is entered manually.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, da¬ characterized in that already recorded goods are automatically and / or manually booked.

6. Device for performing the method according to claims 1 to 5, with a goods recording device for sales, which has an upper, substantially horizontal, a transport path forming goods detection surface, in which a goods detection window is provided, and one to the Goods detection area transverse to the goods transport direction has an adjoining operating area with operating elements and / or input / output openings, the operating area being inclined relative to the goods detection area, characterized in that the angle of inclination (A) is in the range from 135 ° to 180 ° lies.

7. goods detection device according to claim 6, characterized ge indicates that the angle of inclination (A) in the range of 155 ° to 180 °, preferably at 165 °.

8. goods detection device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that on a control surface (13) receiving upper part (5) a screen (33) having data display device (23) by means of a support device (24) adjustable an¬ arranged is.

9. Goods detection device according to claim 8, characterized in that an input keyboard (37) is provided on the visual display device (23) below the screen (33).

10. Goods detection device according to claim 8, characterized in that the input keyboard is integrated into a part of the screen (33 or 44).

11. Goods detection device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that one of the Be¬ control elements is formed as an input keyboard (37, 45).

12. Goods detection device according to one of claims 6 to 11 with the exception of claim 8, characterized in that a data display device (23, 43) is provided in the control surface (13).

13. Goods detection device according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that the input keyboard (37 or 45) and the data display device (23 or 43) axially one behind the other transversely to

Goods detection window (11) of the goods detection surface (10) are arranged.

14. Goods detection device according to one of claims 6 to 13, characterized in that one of the output openings (16) is a closable output compartment (17) for a document (20).

15. Goods detection device according to claim 14, characterized in that the output compartment (17) is trough-shaped and is provided with a hinged cover (62).

16. Goods detection device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the output compartment (17), preferably in its bottom wall (51), has a slot (54) for feeding the strip-shaped legs (20).

17. Goods detection device according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the dispensing compartment (17) has at least at one end a partially cylindrical inner wall (70).

18. Goods detection device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the hinged cover (62) about a bearing pin (63), preferably transversely to the goods transport direction, is pivotable.

19. Goods detection device according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the dispensing compartment (17) has an opening (72) pointing to the transport path when the hinged lid (62) is open.

20. Goods detection device according to one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that the hinged cover (62) has at least at its ends a partially cylindrical, on the inner wall (70) of the dispensing compartment (17) adapted underside (65) .

21. Goods detection device according to one of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that the part-cylindrical inner wall (70) of the output compartment (17) and the part-cylindrical underside (65) of the hinged cover (62) each have a guide rib (71 or 66) are, the latter being each provided with an outer wall (67) arranged transversely to the top side of the hinged cover (64).

22. An apparatus for performing the method according to claims 1 to 5, with a goods entry and settlement system for retail stores, the Several parallel billing channels (A, B) to be run by the customer, each with a goods receiving section (116, 130), a goods recording section (117, 131) with an assigned billing unit (121, 136) and a goods issuing section ( 118, 132), and has an operator station (115) assigned to the billing path (A, B), characterized in that in each billing path (A, B) the billing unit (121, 136) is preferably an autonomous device within the Goods registration section (117, 131) forms part of the billing route (A, B) and can be operated from the customer side, and that one operator station (115) is assigned to several billing channels (A, B) and behind the goods registration sections (117 , 131) is arranged.

23. Goods entry and billing system according to claim 22, characterized in that the operator station (115) is equipped with a further billing unit (140).

24. Goods entry and billing system according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that the operator station (115) is equipped with control and monitoring devices (143, 141) for its goods entry sections (117, 131).

25. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that the operator station (115) with control and monitoring devices (143, 141) for its goods delivery sections (118, 132) equipped or connected is.

26. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that the billing unit (210) contains a reading device for goods labels, a display device (214) and an input keyboard (215), which are connected together to a computer are.

27. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 22 to 26, characterized in that the billing unit (121; 136; 210) contains a money receiving and dispensing device.

28. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 22 to 27, characterized in that the billing unit (210) contains a reader for credit cards and / or a reader for documents.

29. Goods recording and billing system according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that the monitoring devices (141) are connected to sensors (150 to 155) arranged in the goods output section (118, 132).

30. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 25 to 29, characterized in that the control devices (143) are connected to a blocking device (112, 113) which closes the goods delivery section (118, 132).

31. Goods entry and billing system according to one of claims 22 to 30, characterized in that the goods receiving section (116, 130) is laterally assigned a goods return device (160) in the visible area of the operator station (115).